I’ll Never Throw Away a Takeout Container Again (the Reason Is So Cute)
If there’s one thing you can count on me to do, it’s find another use for any item that comes into my home — especially if it’s single-use plastic. So when I saw an ingenious hack on Instagram on how to repurpose plastic takeout containers, I dropped everything I was doing.
The Smartest Thing You Can Do with an Old Takeout Container
DIY creator Tina Le Mac shares in a video how you can take a plastic takeout container and transform it into a bookmark. I can’t believe I never thought of this! There are so many things you can do to upcycle leftover bits of plastic (like using them as DIY spoon rests), but the bookworm in your life needs to see this trick.
Here’s how to make a showstopping bookmark out of an old plastic takeout container, according to Le Mac.
- Cut off a smooth, flat sheet of plastic from a takeout container.
- Cut it into smaller bookmarks in the shape of your choice. Pro tip: Trace your intended shape from another piece of paper underneath, then cut it out.
- Punch a hole in the top of the bookmark if you want to add a tassel or charm.
- Decorate your bookmark with craft paint, stickers, or collaging!
- Add tassels or charms for added flair.
What’s So Great About This Plastic Takeout Container Upcycling Hack?
Of course, this ingenious DIY craft keeps a little bit of plastic out of landfills, which is always a win. It’s also incredibly versatile and totally customizable — choose any size and shape you’d like and decorate them to match your genre, or just opt for your favorite colors. Plus, with different plastic containers, it might have texture, color, or other features you can highlight.
DIY bookmarks would be the perfect activity for book clubs or just your next cozy girls’ night in. It’d also make an easy, thoughtful gift for a loved one. For an easy way to make your bookmark look like a true work of art, follow Tina’s lead and paint a paint-by-numbers project over it. In the comments, people recommended adding another piece of plastic or a layer of Mod Podge over it to seal the painting and ensure it doesn’t scratch off.
The next time you order delivery from your favorite takeout restaurant, remember before you recycle the containers that there’s a stunning — and functional — craft just waiting to be made.